Experimental evaluation and modeling of concrete masonry unit walls
Abstract
[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Many military and government buildings in the US and abroad use frame structures with infill wall systems. Conventionally constructed infill wall systems do not exhibit the blast resistance necessary. To develop blast design guidelines for Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) wall systems, it is necessary to develop analytical models for the static resistance function of these walls that are verified using the results of full-scale physical experiments. The existing analytical models currently used for blast design of CMU walls underestimate the static resistance of the walls. Improvements in the prediction models for the resistance functions are necessary and could lead to improvements in the dynamic prediction tools. Ultimately this may result in improved accuracy and cost reduction of the blast design. The objective of this thesis is to develop an analytical model to predict the static resistance function for typical CMU wall systems and verify analytical resistance with data from full-scale physical experiments. Six full-scale CMU walls were tested using a vacuum chamber and their pressure-deflection response was recorded until failure. The walls were fully- or partially- grouted and constructed with various materials. An analytical model was developed to predict the static resistance function of the CMU walls. Depending on wall type and desired blast response the analytical model predictions were within 5-30% of experimental wall behavior.
Degree
M.S.
Thesis Department
Rights
Access to files is limited to the University of Missouri--Columbia.